According to the King County public assessor’s office, Bill Gates’ home in Medina, Washington is worth a whopping $154-million as of July 2015, but did you know that the billionaire purchased the lot for the paltry sum of $2-million in 1988. He reportedly pays around $1-million in property taxes each year. The house was the result of a collaboration between Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architects (based in Pennsylvania but with satellite offices in Seattle and San Francisco) and Cutler-Anderson Architects of Bainbridge Island, Washington. Continue reading for more interesting facts.
7. High-Tech Sensor System
When guests arrive, a high-tech sensor system helps monitor a room’s climate and lighting to ensure maximum comfort. Plus, each person is given a pin that interacts with sensors located all over the house, which will automatically adjust temperature and lighting to their liking as they move throughout the complex. Hidden speakers in the wall allow music to follow you from room to room.
6. Digital Artwork
Since many of the paintings are digital, you can change the images at the push of a button. There’s approximately $80,000 worth of displays, connected to a $150,000 server farm, that has a near unlimited supply of artwork for you to choose from, with absolutely no switch lag.
5. Trampoline Room
When is a fun room, not just something filled with toys? When there’s a giant trampoline, complete with a 20-foot vaulted ceiling, for you to jump on. The exercise facilities span 2,500-square-feet, and includes a sauna, steam room, as well as separate men’s / women’s locker rooms.
4. Massive Reception Hall
Should the Gates family be holding a party, there’s an enormous 2,300-square-foot reception hall just for the occasion. It can seat up to 150 people for a dinner party, or 200 standing up at a cocktail event. A 6-foot-wide limestone fireplace adorns one wall, while a 22-foot-wide video screen can be found on the other.
3. Has Enormous Library
Bill Gates paid $30.8-million for the 16th Century Codex Leicester manuscript, so it’s no surprise that he also has a 2,100-square-foot library, complete with dome roof and two secret bookcases, in his home. On the ceiling you’ll find a quote from “The Great Gatsby” that reads: “He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it.”
2. 20-Person Home Theater
You can’t have a sprawling mansion without a custom home theater, and Bill Gates’ Art Deco-inspired creation is definitely no slouch. There’s enough room to comfortable seat 20 – more if you’re willing to sit on the floor – and even has a snack bar.
1. 23 Car Garage
Combined, Bill Gates’ garages can store up to 23 cars. The most interesting one is located in an underground cave made from concrete and stainless steel. This structure alone can park up to 10 cars – some of the concrete was purposely broken to give it Bat Cave like look.
